Fighting between Moro and Philippine government forces raged Sunday, the eve of elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Reports from the field said the exchange of gunfire was “non-stop” and that “the grounds are shaking” in some villages in North Cotabato province, including some villages in Aleosan and Pikit towns. Col. Diosdado Carreon, the commander of the 40th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, said the military fired howitzers to pound Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) forces who remained in some areas in North Cotabato. Reports said residents of Baliki village in Midsayap town, North Cotabato have fled the area amid shelling of mortars by the military. Sniping attacks in Baliki were also reported but residents in the area could not say where the gunfire was coming from. “There's non-stop shooting. Grounds are shaking,” a reporter from a television station said. “Today I heard the loudest exchange of gunfire,” a resident of Baliki town said, adding that the clashes have been going on for the last two weeks. MILF spokesperson Eid Kabalu confirmed the continued fighting in North Cotabato between Philippine and MILF forces. He also confirmed that MILF fighters continued to occupy Baliki village. In a radio interview, Kabalu said the continuous shelling by the military had “interfered” with the MILF's earlier pledge to leave the areas in North Cotabato in compliance with an ultimatum issued by the Philippine government. Kabalu said MILF fighters could not pull out because they were being attacked by local militia units. He said their forces could not fully comply with the government ultimatum to leave the area because of the attacks. “We wanted to reposition our forces, but we cannot because militias are firing on our fighters. Philippine authorities should stop these attacks,” he said. “We are for peace, but peace cannot stay long if it is being threatened by those who oppose it. We want peace to reign. The MILF is optimistic the fighting will stop. We are appealing to everyone to support peace in Mindanao,” he said. __
